Campaign contributions

This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in North Carolina in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[1]

Year

Number of candidates

Total contributions

2010

137

$18,614,595

2008

115

$15,991,201

2006

99

$14,697,182

2004

137

$13,819,791

2002

172

$12,996,012

In 2010, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $18,614,595 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were: [2]

Donor

Amount

North Carolina Republican Party

$2,171,725

North Carolina Democratic Party

$1,851,252

North Carolina Democratic Party Caucus

$562,126

Bordeaux, Frankie L

$477,675

North Carolina Republican Senate Caucus

$360,908

North Carolina Democratic Party Senate Caucus

$350,810

North Carolina Republican Party Senatorial Trust

$245,781

Jackson, Brent

$221,410

Goolsby, Thomas C

$169,316

North Carolina Medical Society

$154,500

Impact of redistricting

The Republican-controlled General Assembly approved final redistricting maps on July 27, 2011. Although the Department of Justice pre-cleared the maps as it is their legal responsibility to do for North Carolina under the Voting Rights Act, lawsuits followed from Democrats and community groups arguing that the maps engaged in political and racial gerrymandering, and unnecessarily split counties. The suits were later consolidated. Though the elections were given the go-ahead, and the political gerrymandering claims were dismissed, the suit remains pending.[3]

Using a method developed by Charlie Cook, Catawba College Professor Michael Bitzer calculated the political make-up of the finalized districts. Using the presidential vote in 2004 and 2008, he divided seats into "likely," "lean," and "toss-up." In the House, Bitzer found that 36 of the new districts were likely Republican wins while 30 were likely Democratic wins. In addition, he found that 37 seats leaned Republican while only six seats leaned Democrat. Overall, 11 House seats were toss-ups. In the State Senate, Bitzer identified 14 districts that were likely wins for each party. However, he identified 17 seats that leaned Republican while only two seats leaned Democrat. There were three Senate toss-ups.[4]

Qualifications

Article 2, Section 6 of the North Carolina Constitution states: Each Senator, at the time of his election, shall be not less than 25 years of age, shall be a qualified voter of the State, and shall have resided in the State as a citizen for two years and in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election.

Impact of redistricting

If the GOP-approved map withstands legal scrutiny, political experts have estimated that there could be as many as 27 or 28 reliably safe Republican seats in the Senate.[5]

List of candidates

Note: Candidate lists can change frequently throughout the election season. Ballotpedia staff will be re-examining the list on a monthly basis for any changes. This list was last examined on September 18, 2012. For more information about Ballotpedia's election coverage plan, click here. If you are aware of a candidate we've missed or one incorrectly listed, please send an email to: Tyler King.